Minnesota Vikings: Chris Crocker gets his start

Chris Crocker came to Minnesota looking to start in the regular season. On Saturday, at least, he got a preseason start.

Crocker, signed by the Vikings on Aug. 4, made his debut by starting at strong safety in Saturday's game against Arizona at TCF Bank Stadium.

"Obviously, I've been a starter 99.9 percent of my career, so I didn't come here to sit around and watch the show,'' the 12-year veteran told the Pioneer Press earlier in the week.

Crocker played the previous seven seasons under Mike Zimmer, when he was defensive coordinator at Atlanta in 2007 and then in Cincinnati for six years. So Zimmer obviously knows what Crocker can do.

The Vikings have been beset by injuries at safety. Robert Blanton, who remains No.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Chris Crocker intercepts a pass in the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman)

1 on the depth chart, has been out the past three weeks with a hamstring injury and didn't play against the Cardinals. Also injured have been Jamarca Sanford and Andrew Sendejo, but both played Saturday.

Also sitting out for the Vikings against the Cardinals were running back Adrian Peterson (precautionary reasons), cornerback Josh Robinson (hamstring), tight end Chase Ford (broken foot) and Linval Joseph. Joseph suffered a minor calf injury Aug. 9 when he was grazed by a bullet as an innocent bystander during a shooting at a Minneapolis nightclub.

Matt Asiata got his second straight start for Peterson, who also sat out Aug. 8 against Oakland. Fred Evans started for Joseph.